The Time-Track Tractor Part 1 /potatoesforschools @potatoes4schools
Getting the most from your Time-Track Tractor Your class is going to create a time-track tractor frieze to track your potato growing journey. There are 17 sections to make up the frieze. A pair or individual in the class will have a section each to personalise. These can then be displayed to build the frieze around your classroom. During the week, those responsible for the week s section must: Read the message on the frieze and share it with the rest of the class; Fill in a diary entry - add a note and drawings about how the potatoes are developing and record any key events; Find out an amazing potato fact and add it to the Did you know area; Complete a special mission; Decorate the page in a potato themed style! Present their section of the frieze to the class and add it to the wall. Don t forget to also download this years support resources, instruction sheet, wall chart and potato journals - these will help you with your potato journey.
Send a tweet to let everyone know you have started your potato growing journey! We d love to see your progress, don t forget to include @potatoes4school or #potatoes4school Take a photo of someone in your class putting a seed potato on the chitting tray. Chitting - 19 February Place your seed potatoes on the chitting tray (created from your kit box). Put them in a warm space with lots of light - the classroom windowsill is perfect. Present your findings to the class and stick your frieze section to the wall. Remember to start in a place that leaves plenty of room for the next 16 sections, too!
Labelling your bags Show us your ingenious way of labelling your grow bags, you could win a prize we ve made some suggestions on the website Colour in using your favourite colours Week 1 - Planting. 5 March Plant your chitted seed potatoes with the shoots facing upwards. Lots of ways to win prizes for your school this year. Take a look at our Growing potatoes PowerPoint Take a photo of the seed potatoes being planted.
Take a photo of someone in your class adding a symbol to your Potato wall chart. Make a short announcement in whole school assembly to tell everyone that you are growing potatoes and what has been happening. Week 2 - Looking after your plants Make a timetable for who will check and water the potato plants. Monitor the watering on your Potato wall chart by adding the water symbol on the date you water the plants.
Ask three people how tall they think the tallest potato plant will become. (See who was closest at the end of the project) Week 3 - Potato progress Colour in using your favourite colours Organise members of your class to take turns being a daily weather watcher and check the weather each day. If it is due to be frosty, the potato plants will need to be brought inside overnight. Record any frost on your Potato wall chart using the frost symbol.
Remember to make a plan for who will check and water your potatoes in the school holidays! Take a photo of your potato plants being measured! Week 4 - Nurturing Measure your tallest potato plant this week. Record its height on your Potato wall chart and add the ruler symbol on the date you took the measurement. Look at the Plant Health Fact Sheet on the website. What is the ideal temperature for growing a potato?
Send a tweet about your potato plants! Remember to record this on your Potato wall chart! @potatoes4school #potatoes4school Week 5 - Knowing Potatoes Colour in using your favourite colours Find out how a farmer grows potatoes. Give your potatoes more room to grow, keep adding soil until you get to the top of the bag. Why not face time a farmer and see how his potatoes are growing?
Use a magnifying glass to look at your potato plant and make a detailed drawing. Week 6 - Growing on Take 8 measurements of your potato plants between March and June. Add a ruler symbol to your wall chart to plan when to do this. Your last one should be the day before harvesting.
How many leaves does your largest Rocket potato plant have? Send a tweet about your potato plants! Remember to record this on your Potato wall chart! @potatoes4school #potatoes4school Week 7 - Field to Fork Colour in using your favourite colours Check the Grow Your Own Potatoes website for growing tips! Visit www.foodafactoflife.org.uk for curriculum linked resources